Formal Charges Filed Against Accused Child Molester

A Knox man is jailed on child molestation charges following an investigation by the Knox Police Department. Officers got a tip on Sunday, April 17 that 33-year-old Matthew Elias Johnson was involved in a two-month-long relationship with an elementary school-aged female. During the investigation, officers reportedly discovered the relationship between Johnson and the child was sexual in nature. He spoke to officers about the incident and was arrested.

Johnson has been formally charged with three counts of child molesting as a Level 1 felony, each of which carry a penalty of between 20 and 40 years in prison, and one count of child molesting as a Level 3 felony, which is punishable by between three and 16 years in prison. He remains in the Starke County Jail.

Authorities say this is an ongoing investigation, and additional details are expected at a later date.

WKVI News Director Mary Perren is glad to be back home in northern Indiana and on the radio. She’s a North Judson native with more than 20 years of news experience. She’s worked in print and radio news in Indianapolis, Hopkinsville, Ky., Nashville, Tenn. and most recently in Winamac before taking over as news director for Kankakee Valley Broadcasting in February of 2013. Her work has been honored by the Associated Press, StateNets News Association, Curb Foundation, Hoosier State Press Association and IBA. When she’s not sitting in the anchor chair or chasing down news, Mary enjoys shopping for antiques, attending concerts and taking long walks and rides in her vintage Saab convertible, weather permitting. She’s also a hopelessly devoted Chicago Cubs fanatic who still cringes at the mention of Steve Garvey and Josh Beckett and maintains it wasn’t Steve Bartman’s fault.